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New Years Eve is the perfect time to adorn your nails in a
Cocktail Manicure. The look features two shades the statement (glitter) is
polished on your thumb, index and middle finger of the hand you would hold a
cocktail with.The rest of your
nails are polished in a complimenting color. I used Zoya ‘Storm’ as my
statement and Essie “Chastity’ for the rest of my nails. The look is chic and a
great way to not only dress up your outfit, but your cocktail too.

The new town I live in has a New Years Eve ball drop so I
will be having a couple friends over before hand for hors d'oeuvres and
cocktails. Since my party color theme is pink and gold the signature cocktail
is a “Pretty in Pink”. To make fill a glass with pink cotton candy and slowly
pour champagne over it. The beverage is beautiful and you can even make it kid
friendly by using 7-Up in place of the champagne. Remember to drink
responsibly. xx

I am grateful that I was able to spend this Christmas with my family. Saturday my grandparents hosted a wonderful Christmas dinner. Followed by my mum's birthday on Christmas Eve where we celebrated in style with cocoa, cake and candies. Christmas began our yearly tradition of mimosas, coffee cake and my mums overnight egg dish, then came opening stockings (where Jack became exhausted and fell asleep), presents, Honey Baked Ham lunch and movie night snuggled in my parents bedroom. I hope you had a wonderful day surrounded by family, friends and those who mean the most to you. xx

My first Christmas away at college I went to a cookie exchange party,
and received recipes for a wide range of cookies and treats sure to make the
holiday sweet. One that I continue to make every year is Church Windows. Not
only are they gorgeous, they are simple to make and always a huge hit at
holiday gatherings.

Directions
1. Melt the chocolate chips and butter in a saucepan that has been placed in a
pan of water over love heat (or use a double boiler). Stir until smooth and
cool for about 1-2 minutes. Add the nuts and marshmallows and mix to coat.
2. Using wax paper, shape the mixture into three round logs. Roll each log in
coconut and shape wrapping firmly in wax paper. Freeze over night. While
frozen, slice each log into desired sizes and enjoy.

My week consisted of plenty of baking, wrapping and
unpacking the house. This after noon I will be loading up the car and heading
downstate to celebrate Christmas with my family. Here are some things that kept
me inspired this week. What are some of your Christmas traditions.

Cookies are a huge part of the holiday season. So why not
share some sweet treats with your fur baby? These puppy treats are packed with most
dog’s favorite thing… peanut butter. Since my puppy only weighs two pounds I
used mini cookie cutters for his cookies, but feel free to use large shapes
based on your dogs size. My veterinarian approved this recipe.

Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 400ºF.
2. In a medium bowl combine the water, canola oil, eggs, peanut butter and
vanilla; set aside.
3. In a large bowl whisk together the flour, cornmeal and oats. Make a well in
the center of the flour mixture and pour in the wet ingredients. Stir well to
combine.
4. On a well-floured surface roll the dough out to about 1/3 of an inch
thickness. Using a cookie cutter cut out the treats and transfer to a baking
sheet.
5. Bake 10 to 20 minutes or until desired crispness. For harder treats leave in
the oven once you turn it off. Store in an airtight container.

From headbands and hair ties to ribbon and ruffles I have an
entire arsenal of accessories dedicated to my hair. I have even been known to
plan an outfit out based on what I will be wearing in my hair. While the
perfect little black dress tends to be a holiday go-to for me, because the
accessorizing possibilities are endless my heart is after a different black
this holiday season; the black bow. Lauren Conrad, Clemence Poesy and Kelly Osbourne
just to name a few have been spotted using a black ribbon to create a bow for
their updo, ponytail or headband. The
result is a chic look perfect for Christmas or New Years Eve. What do you think
of this look? I know I will be wearing it to my grandparents Christmas party
this Saturday.

While living in Pittsburgh one of my neighbors taught me her
never fail chocolate fudge recipe. From that moment I knew I would want to
incorporate it somehow into my holiday baking list and what better way then by
transforming it into a wreath. A fudge wreath brings the perfect amount of
cheer to a holiday party and doubles as a sweet hostess or teacher gift.

1. Lightly coat the bottom and sides of an 8-inch cake pan
with melted butter, as well as the empty can of the evaporated milk. Place the
evaporated milk can in the center of the cake pan.
2. In a large mixing bowl place vanilla, marshmallow crème chocolate chip and
walnuts; set aside.
3. Mix sugar, 1-tablespoon butter and evaporated milk in a large saucepan.
Stirring constantly bring mixture to a full rolling boil. Continue boiling and
stirring until mixture reaches 233 degrees Fahrenheit on a candy thermometer or
softball stage (about 5 minutes). Add remaining butter to the boiling mixture
and heat until melted. Bring back to a boil stirring continuously.
4. Immediately pour the hot mixture into the bowl of chocolate chips, walnuts, marshmallow
crème and vanilla. Mix until well blended. Pour the fudge into your prepared
cake pan and move the evaporated milk can as needed to keep it in the center.
This will be the time to add your holly shaped gumdrops. Work quickly as the
fudge will set up fast.
5. Allow to cool and set for a few hours (overnight is ideal). Once set tip
over onto your hand and then placed onto your desired dish.

Salt dough ornaments are simple and cheap. They are also a
fun project for you to do with you kids or your pet. They are great for your
own tree, as gifts, gift tags, personalized ornaments and more. My parent’s
tree has a few salt dough ornaments with my brother’s hand prints and mine from
when we were younger as well as shapes that we painted. I try to always add an
ornament to family members gifts at Christmas, and this year some will have
salt dough ornaments featuring Jack’s paw print. Note: After you do prints with
your pet or child make sure to thoroughly wash them to remove any salt debris

Directions
1. Mix together the flour and salt.
2. Then mix in the warm water.
3. Mix until the dough becomes the consistency of pie crust.
4. Place the dough on a floured surface and roll out to 1/4-1/2- inch
thickness.
5. Use cookie cutters to cut out desired shapes.
6. Place shapes on a cookie sheet and press your child’s hand/ foot or animal’s
paw into the ornament if desired.
7. Use a straw (or pencil) to put a small hole in each shape where you will
insert the ribbon. Make sure the hole goes all the way through the dough.
8. Bake the ornaments for 4 to 6 hours at 200 degrees Fahrenheit or until
hardened.
9. Once cooled add ribbon and write on or paint if desired. Note: This recipe made me about 20 bones.